Summer in Canada: Weekend at the Cottage

 Leanne and Mark were gracious enough to have us at Mark's parent's cottage for the first weekend we were in town.  Though it was a bit strange for Steven to stay with people he didn't know at all and I didn't know ALL that well, the weekend was a huge success.  Gord and Jane are the sweetest people; ones that make you feel as though you belong in their gorgeous home, overlooking the lake.  Don't mind if we do.  

It was a pleasure to see Leanne again, to just hang out by the water, drink far too many Ceasars and Spicies (spiced rum and Coke: Mark's specialty), squeeze in a long run on those glorious country roads, and eat too many snacks on the dock.  Good times all around...

A few card games kept us up inot the night...

Summer in Canada: Birthday Dinner

My Dad's birthday falls on August first, and I'd had this reservation booked for weeks at Salvatore's in Oakville.  It certainly did not disappoint.  And though we got a little rowdy and flash-happy with the camera near the end of the night, I don't think we disappointed the other patrons either.  What's not to like about frivrolity?

 ...and a little more frivrolity...

Happy Birthday, Dad xx

Summer in Canada: Running along Lake Ontario

I was really looking forward to showing Steven just how beautiful the path is from Burlington to Hamilton along Lake Ontario.  Fortunately, we've both been hitting the pavement pretty hard lately (especially, thankfully, during our holiday), so we took full advantage of some beautiful pathways both in Burlington and in Toronto (not to mention up north, but that will come later).  This is what Steven saw through his iPhone:

It makes me proud to call it home.

Summer in Canada: Canoeing Down the Grand

At last...I'm back.

I had to give up my MacBook Pro when I left my job in Dartford and I'm still heartbroken.  So heartbroken, in fact, that I'm going to buy one myself.  This will mark my first EVER electronic purchase made in my life.  Seriously.  It needs to be done, though.  The move back to The PC has been a sad, sad time.

I digress.  

So Steven and I went to Canada.  Imagine that.  It was an epic trip, planned nearly entirely before we left, allowing for a few, "we have no plans today" days.  Thus, I'll blog first about the days spent in the Great White North and after that, I'll tell you all about the changes: the move in with Boyfriend; the end of the three years at First Real Teaching Job Ever; and all the emotions that have been surrounding these changes.

Without further ado, we arrived in Canada on a Monday afternoon.  Dad took us to the first Keg he could find, where we sunk our teeth into a much-missed baseball sirloin.  Oh, steak, I have missed you so.

We spent the night at my mom's guest suite at the condo in Burlington, and left early the next day for the Grand River, where we canoed for four hours!  It was a really interesting, calming adventure that I wouldn't ever have taken if not for Steven and his curiousity about the Great Outdoors.  I am SO glad I went and definitely recommend it if anyone is looking for something interesting to do out that way (we started in Paris).

  Here's what we saw...

On our way...

Best Test Answer Ever

This is an actual answer to a test question from one of my students.  Priceless.

With all that said...

...a wise, loving woman instructed me today, 

"Go home, 

make yourself a cup of tea, 

and count your blessings."

Sound advice, I reckon.  I've been counting for a few hours now.  Lo and behold, you know what I've discovered?  Abundance abounds.

...three of my four grandparents are still with us (that's my father pictured, obviously, and not a third grandparent),

...places like this actually exist (AND we get to visit one of them this summer!),

...I got to see the Tragically Hip for perhaps the millionth time at Trafalgar Square with these great people,

Image courtesy of Wit + Delight 

...my body does what I want it to (and perhaps more importantly, what I need it to),

...I'm in a happy, healthy, invigorating relationship.

Pretty nice little list started here...I think I'll mull this over further while I drift to sleep. 

I hope you're having a great day xx

Barbecues and Picnics...

...let summertime commence.

It's been really hard around these parts for the last few weeks.  Just when we all thought it would be smooth sailing until the end of term, it has proven to be a sh*tstorm of hectic-ness (despite having fewer classes...how did that happen?), poor behaviour, and little help, "from above".  Thoughts, on my part at least, have drifted to the new school, to the new role, to the new, positive environment. 
 
 

As some of you might know, I'm not the world's biggest fan of change.  I'm a bit NEEEERRRRVOUS when it comes to things altering in any substantial way.  That said, I'm always usually happy about changes once they've occurred, but do get ever-so-delicate before the alteration.

I guess it's all getting to me OR work these days is really quite all-consuming and BRUTAL!  Enough about that...let's get to the reason for the post.

BECAUSE work has been so hectic, I've found myself collapsing with this fella most weekends and, aside from running, not doing much.  This weekend was a bit more lively though, as we headed south to Steven's Mom's house for a big celebratory barbecue.  Surprisingly, it was as Canadian as our barbecues and a great time was had by all.  The lamb burgers?  Out of this world.  Sunday was even more relaxing, spent in the sunshine on a blanket in the park.  Decompressed, finally.

And I would also love to publicly thank my good friend Jocelyn for sending the sweetest care package, equipped with loving card, temporary tattoos, and GO-Canada buttons.  What a darling...you know you're the only person who sends me things these days?  It's VERY, VERY much appreciated.  With love xxx